A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING EASTMAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR ITS SUPPORT OF THE LAUREN ROGERS MUSEUM OF ART IN LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI, UPON ITS RECEIPT OF THE ARTS PATRON AWARD OF THE 1998 GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS.

WHEREAS, known as Mississippi's first museum, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, Mississippi, was established in 1923 by the Eastman Memorial Foundation and is the only beneficiary of the Foundation, which was established by Lauren Eastman Rogers' grandfather, Lauren C. Eastman in 1922; and

WHEREAS, the Foundation is the well-deserving recipient of the Arts Patron Award of the 1998 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts for its longstanding support of the museum; and

WHEREAS, the Foundation has long been an anchor for fine arts in southeast Mississippi, and the Lauren Rogers Museum now has more than 2,000 items in its collections and more than 10,000 square feet of exhibition and gallery space; and

WHEREAS, museum collections include European paintings, drawings, and prints from the 19th century, American works from the 19th and 20th centuries emphasizing landscapes and figurative motifs, a collection of English Georgian Silver and Japanese wood block prints; and

WHEREAS, the Museum has supported the arts throughout the state, supporting other burgeoning museums, such as the Kate Freemen Clark Museum, through financial investment and consultation; and

WHEREAS, in collaboration with the local Association for Excellence in Education's "Partners in Education" program, the Museum has consistently provided arts education opportunities to students in the local school system:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Eastman Memorial Foundation for its support of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, Mississippi, which has earned this institution the Arts Patron Award of the 1998 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art's director and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.